Phlox plant named &#39;IFPHLFC&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phlox  plant named ‘IFPHLFC’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; flowers that are red to red purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats; and good container and garden performance.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phlox Plants

Applicant: Jelle van den Haak

Provisional application Ser. No. 62/764,553

Filed: Aug. 7, 2018

Botanical designation: Phlox paniculata.

Cultivar denomination: ‘IFPHLFC’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant, botanically known as Phlox paniculata, typically grown as a container and garden Phlox, hereinafter referred to by the name ‘IFPHLFC’ and disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/764,553.

The new Phlox plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Andijk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new vigorous Phlox plants with numerous attractive flowers.

The new Phlox plant originated from a cross-pollination of a proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 047-12-K024-02, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 9009-05, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent in August, 2013. The new Phlox plant was discovered and selected as a single plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled nursery environment in Andijk, The Netherlands in August, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phlox plant by cuttings in a controlled environment in Andijk, The Netherlands since February, 2015 has shown that the unique features of this new Phlox plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Phlox plant has not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘IFPHLFC’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘IFPHLFC’ as a new and distinct Phlox plant:

-   -   1. Compact and uniformly mounded plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit.     -   6. Flowers that are red to red purple and white bi-colored with         red purple-colored throats.     -   7. Good container and garden performance.

Plants of the new Phlox and the female parent selection differ primarily in plant habit as plants of the female parent selection are more compact than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Phlox are lighter green in color         than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ         in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phlox are red to         red purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats         whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection are         purple in color.

Plants of the new Phlox can also be compared to plants of Phlox paniculata ‘Barsixtytwo’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,234. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phlox and ‘Barsixtytwo’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phlox are more compact than plants of         ‘Barsixtytwo’.     -   2. Plants of the new Phlox are more freely branching than plants         of ‘Barsixtytwo’.     -   3. Plants of the new Phlox and ‘Barsixtytwo’ differ in flower         color as flowers of plants of the new Phlox are red to red         purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats         whereas flowers of plants ‘Barsixtytwo’ are coral red in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phlox plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phlox plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘IFPHLFC’ grown in a container.

The photographs on the second sheet are close-up views of typical inflorescences (upper photograph) and typical leaves (lower photograph) of ‘IFPHLFC’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the summer in 17-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phlox production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 25° C. and night temperatures ranged from 4° C. to 15° C. Plants were pinched five weeks after planting and were 15 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata ‘IFPHLFC’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox             paniculata identified as code number 047-12-K024-02, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox             paniculata identified as code number 9009-05, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 12 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 16 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 36 days             at temperatures about 18° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 42 days             at temperatures about 18° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, moderately fibrous;             close to 158B to 158C in color, actual color of the roots is             dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and             physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; broadly             upright and relatively compact plant habit; overall shape,             broadly and short inverted triangle; moderately vigorous to             vigorous in growth habit and moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 28             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 34.4             cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 47.5 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity: About three primary branches and             about twelve secondary branches per plant. Length: About             16.7 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Internode length: About             2.4 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to about 45° from             vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately             glossy. Color: Close to 144A to 144B; at the petiole             attachment, strongly tinged with close to N186C. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 10.4 cm.         -   Width.—About 4.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic to ovate; moderately carinate.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire; very finely serrate, serrations are             inconspicious.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly rugose; slightly glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly rugose; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137C.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation,             close to N144A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 191A; venation, close to 144C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm by             3 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous; matte. Color, upper surface: Close to 144C;             proximally, tinged with close to N186C. Color, lower             surface: Close to 144C. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Single rotate and             salverform flowers arranged in compound terminal panicles;             flowers face upright to outwardly; panicles roughly             hemispherical in shape; freely flowering habit with about             450 flowers developing per inflorescence and about 4,000             flowers developing per plant during the flowering season.         -   Fragrance.—Moderately fragrant; sweet, pleasant.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about 15             weeks after planting; long flowering period, plants flower             continuously throughout the summer in The Netherlands.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about ten days on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Shape: Oblanceolate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Color: Close to 68A; tube, between 59B and             61A; developing calyx, close to 145A to 145B with axillary             stripes, close to N199B.         -   Inflorescence height.—About 16 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 17 cm.         -   Flower diameter.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 2 cm.         -   Flower throat diameter.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower tube length.—About 1.7 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter.—About 3 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single             whorl; petals fused at the base into a narrow tube; free             parts moderately imbricate. Length (including tube): About             2.9 cm; 62.5% of the petal is fused. Lobe width: About             1.4 cm. Lobe shape: Spatulate. Lobe apex: Obtuse. Margin:             Entire; slightly to moderately undulate. Texture and luster,             upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately velvety; matte.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Texture, throat: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately velvety. Texture, tube: Moderately pubescent.             Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 52A; towards             the throat, close to NN155D. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 52B to 52D flushed with close to 72B and NN155D.             Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 58C; towards the             throat, close to N155A; venation, similar to lamina colors;             color does not change with development. Fully opened, lower             surface: Close to 58D flushed with close to 77B and NN155D;             venation, similar to lamina colors; color does not change             with development. Throat: Close to 64B; venation, close to             64B. Tube: Close to N80A; venation, close to N80A.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single             whorl, fused towards the base; calyx, campanulate. Length:             About 9 mm; 43% of the sepal is fused. Width: About 1.5 mm.             Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Narrowly apiculate. Margin: Entire;             not undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145A to 145B; axillary             stripes, close to N199B; towards the margins, close to 145D.             Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145C;             axillary stripes, close to N199B; towards the margins, close             to 145D; venation, close to N199B.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncles: About 13 cm.             Diameter, terminal peduncles: About 2.5 mm. Aspect, primary             peduncles: Erect. Aspect, secondary peduncles: About 45°             from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Between 143B and 144A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Angle:             About 20° from the peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately             strong. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; moderately             glossy. Color: Close to 143B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Typically             five. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color: Close to             N155A. Anther size: About 1.5 mm by 1 mm. Anther shape:             Narrowly oblong. Anther color: Close to 159D. Pollen amount:             Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 160B. Pistils: Quantity per             flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.2 cm. Style length:             About 1 cm. Style color: Close to 182C; proximally, close to             145B. Stigma size: About 1.5 mm by 1.5 mm. Stigma shape:             Cleft, three-parted. Stigma color: Close to 150D. Ovary             color: Close to 143C.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have             not been observed on plants of the new Phlox. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Phlox have been observed to     have good garden performance and tolerate rain, wind, high     temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness.     Zones 6 through 10. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phlox have been not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Phlox     plants. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘IFPHLFC’ as illustrated and described. 